Ex-authority board member promoted

Jan. 29--A former Hazleton City Authority board member who was hired less than two years ago as an administrative manager/compliance officer received an $11,000 raise and a new title on Thursday.

Authority board members voted unanimously to promote Richard Ammon to a $65,000 deputy director position.

The promotion puts Ammon beneath only Executive Director Randy Cahalan in the HCA hierarchy and hasn't been discussed publicly until an appointment resolution appeared on the authority board's meeting agenda Thursday.

Board member John Nilles said the deputy director post will help management with its daily responsibilities and improve work flow.

The appointment generated no opposition and little discussion among the rest of the authority board.

As deputy director, Ammon's administrative and management responsibilities include personnel management, information technology and record keeping systems, forms control, and budgetary procedures, according to a resolution that passed by a 5-0 vote.

According to the resolution, Ammon will receive 3 percent raises per year on April 1 in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. Over that timeframe, his salary will increase from $66,950 in 2017 to $73,158.07 by 2020.

Additional benefits include Ammon enrolling in HCA's 401(a) plan with 3 percent matching funds; health insurance co-pay equal to 10 percent of the annual insurance costs, as well as life and PPO dental and vision group plans.

In 2016, he is eligible for four weeks vacation and has the option to return 10 days per year for full pay at the per-diem rate (based on 250 work days per year); or he can bank up to 20 days vacation with no buy back; 12 additional sick days per year (and can bank up to 25 days with no buy back); six months of short-term disability equal to two-thirds salary; four personal days and 10 paid holidays.

He previously served as administrative manager/compliance officer, a position that paid $52,000 when he was hired in June 2014. The salary for that position increased to $54,000 after Ammon completed six months on the job.

Ammon served on the authority board for about 20 years before he was hired as administrative manager/compliance officer.

When accepting that position, Ammon cited his "great deal of knowledge in water treatment plant operation, water treatment supply, water distribution, water department budgeting, water department billing and water department personnel."

He thanked board members Thursday for their support.

"I thank everyone for their support, faith and trust in my ability to do more here," Ammon said.

Board member Mark Rabo and Chairman Phil Andras indicated that the board has had internal discussions about the position, with Rabo thanking board members for "coming to a consensus" and Andras thanking the board for "looking at all aspects of work flow and aspects of restructuring."

Andras said later Thursday that administrative responsibilities were restructured -- not positions. The business manager and in-house engineer positions have not changed, he said.

Sosar and Andras also publicly wished Ammon success in his new position.

"I know that the restructuring (of responsibilities) will go well," Sosar said.

"There's a lot on the plate," Andras added. "Hopefully the work flow will be significant in helping (Cahalan) and (Engineer John Synoski) stay focused on some of the projects that we are looking at."

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